Pre-game for Broncos vs. Dillas, game 1: Sanchez gone

It's a new day, and the start of a new series for the Broncos.

Amarillo (43-33) is in town for a three-game set.

The Broncos will send Richard Bartlett (2-4, 8.42 ERA) to the mound. His opponent will be Ron Lowe (6-1, 3.86).

The Dillas have split their last 10 games while the Broncos have lost six of their last 10.

But the real news came late this afternoon when it was reported that catcher Luany Sanchez is leaving to go play in the Mexican League tomorrow.

Sanchez is the Broncos' big slugger, having hit .319 with 18 homers and 71 RBIs in 77 games so far this season.

GM Jose Melendez was on the phone trying to find another catcher quickly. Once Sanchez is gone, that would leave Josue Gonzalez as the only true position player at that spot.

Melendez said it's pretty much official that Sanchez will be gone. As it is, he's not even in tonight's lineup, which was changed moments ago after he had been included in it earlier in the evening.

His absence will only provide a greater blow to an offense that has struggled desperately in its last five games, averaging 2.8 runs and hitting .231.

On that note, and a depressing one it is, here's tonight's lineup:

DH   Sean Gamble

2B   Ivan Reyes

LF   Dwayne White

CF   Edgard Clemente

1B   Matt Imwalle

SS   Arnoldo Ponce

3B   Johnny Lopez

RF   Anthony Bennett

C    Josue Gonzalez